Combination fluorescent and germicidal lamp fixture



y 24, 1951 R. A. CLARK, JR 2,561,341

COMBINATION FLUORESCENT AND GERMICIDAL LAMP FIXTURE Filed Dec. 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR Jiaeri 0.

y 24, 1951 R. A. CLARK, JR 2,561,341

COMBINATION FLUORESCENT AND GERMICIDAL UAMP FIXTURE Filed Dec. 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 k3 INVENTOR.

jfaiirZQCiafiQ Jr,

Patented July 24, 1951 COMBINATION FLUORESCENT AND GERMICIDAL LAMP FIXTURE Robert A. Clark, J r., Chicago, 111.

Application December 28, 1945, Serial No. 637,597

2 Claims. l The present invention relates to lighting fixtures and more particularly to a combination fixture for supporting both fluorescent lamps and sun-lamps.

In many installations such as hospitals, schools and nurseries it has been found desirable to provide facilities for exposing the occupants to ultraviolet radiation from so called sun-lamps or germicidal lamps for prolonged periods in addition to the usual lighting facilities. Usually separate fixtures are employed to support and deliver current to the lamps provided for illumination and ultra-violet radiation. As a result the fixture and installation cost for any such installation is relatively high.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an easily constructed, inexpensive fixture adapted to support both fluorescent and germicidal lamps so that ultra-violet radiation, as well as ordinary light, may be furnished to the occupants of a room, without the necessity of providing any fixtures other than those necessary for ordinary light alone.

' It is another object of the invention to provide a fixture which will expose the occupants of a room to direct and indirect light but only to indirect ultra-violet radiation.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled fixture with the lamps mounted thereon;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the fixture shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end View of the fixture;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary explosion view, partially in section further illustrating the structural configuration of the fixture housing and associated sun-lamp shield.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 thereof, the lighting fixture there shown is adapted for support from a a standard ceiling outlet box (not shown) by screws passing through a cylindrically shaped base II. In brief, the fixture comprises an elongated tubular member I 2 depending from the base H which may conveniently be of one piece sheet metal construction formed by one or more stamping operations. In cross section and as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the member l2 comprises a flat base portion I3 suitably attached to the base I I, two side portion l 4 extending downward approximately at right angles to the base portion [3, and two angularly related end walls I la extending downward towards each other. Within the slot defined by the spaced edges of the end walls Ma, the member l2 seats an elongated reflector member 15 of substantially U-shaped cross-section, having legs I6 which are flanged upwardly at their ends to fit against the end walls Ma. in the manner shown. End plates l'l suitably mounted on each end of the tubular member l2 are provided to close the space within the member I2. Self tapping screws may be used in securing the part l3, l5 and H to each other during assembly of the fixture. Specifically, screws l5a are employed to secure the reflector flanges to the walls Ma. Standard lamp support and contact assemblies I8 supported from and extending outwardly from both walls Ma of member [2 near each end thereof are provided for supporting two fluorescent lamps on either side of the reflector l5. Each aligned pair of assemblies l8 supports a fluorescent lamp I9, starting units 20 comprising choke coils mounted behind each of the fluorescent lamps upon the walls Ma being provided to control energization of the lamps during starting thereof.

For the purpose of supporting a germicidal lamp or sun-lamp 22 intermediate the lamps l9 and partially within the legs N5 of the reflector l5, a pair of sun-lamp support and contact assemblies 2| having standard contact facilities are provided which are disposed inwardly from the ends of the member [2. Each assembly 2| comprises an L-shaped insulating member having a vertical leg 2Ia extending downward through an opening 29 in the reflector, and a base leg 2!!) mounted upon the reflector by means of a spacing sleeve 30 and an assembly bolt 3|. A start ing unit comprising a choke coil 23 spaced from the right end of the lamp 22 as seen in Figs. 1 and 2 and socket mounted upon a socket disposed within the member I2 is employed to control energization of the lamp 22 during each starting period thereof. All necessary electrical equipment and wiring other than the choke coils 20 and 23 is housed within the member l2.

equipment comprises a conventional four position switch (not shown) having an actuating element projecting through one wall M of the member I2 for selectively energizing the fluorescent and This sun-lamps individually and together or deenergizing all lamps.

In order to prevent direct downward radiation from the sun-lamp 22, this lamp is covered by an elongated slit shield 24 secured at its ends to the reflector 15 by means of assembly screws 24a. The shield 24 may conveniently be comprised of two end plates 25 between which are assembled in spaced relationship a U-shaped bottom plate 28, two upper side members 21 and two lower side members 28. As shown, especially in Fig. 6, the lower side members 28 are generally Z-shaped, with its lower legs overlapping and disposed within the arms of the U-shaped bottom plate 26 and the upper legs overlapping and disposed outside of the lower end of the upper side member 21. assembled shield 24 acts as a louver so that directional radiation from the sun-lamp 22 may occur only in a generally upward direction. In this regard it will be understood that prolonged exposure to direct ultra-violet radiation can be detrimental to the eyes. Hence, only indirect ultra-violet radiation is permissible in a continuously occupied room where the occupants are not using sun glasses.

Preferably, all parts of the present improved fixture are constructed of sheet metal, the outer surfaces of which are enameled to provide a good light reflecting surface. As a result, the outer surfaces of the walls Ma act to directlight radiation from the lamps l9 outwardly and downwardly. Also, the outer surface of the U- shaped reflector member 15 and the inner surface of the shield 24 are preferably plated to provide a bright highly reflective finish. The invention thus affords an inexpensive, easily assembled fixture for supporting and exciting both sun-lamps and fluorescent lamps, in which all the lamps and starting chokes are readily accessible without removing the fixture from the wall or ceiling and in which a shield is provided to prevent direct ultra-violet radiation.

While one embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combination fluorescent and germicidal lamp fixture comprising an elongated tubular member provided with a pair of longitudinally extending and angularly related walls having spaced edges defining a slot therebetween, lamp support and contact assembles extending outward from each of said walls adjacent the ends As thus arranged the thereof to receive and support tubular fluorescent lamps therebetween, an elongated reflector closing said slot and mounted upon said angularly related walls, lamp support and contact assemblies extending downward from said re fiector adjacent opposite ends thereof to receive and support a tubular germicidal lamp therebetween in substantially the same plane as the tubular fluorescent lamps, and an elongated shield coextensive in length with said germicidal lamp and mounted upon said reflector partially to enclose the germicidal lamp supported between said last-named assemblies, said shield being provided with longitudinally extending louvered slits which prevent direct radiation from the germicidal lamp in directions laterally of the'germicidal lamp.

2. A combination fluorescent and germicidal lamp fixture comprising an elongated tubular housing provided with a pair of longitudinally extending and angularly related walls having spaced edges defining a slot therebetween, lamp support and contact assemblies extending outward from each of said walls adjacent the ends the legs of said reflector and in substantially the same plane as the tubular fluorescent lamps, and an elongated shield coextensive in length with the germicidal lamp and mounted upon said reflector partially to enclose the germicidal lamp supported between said last-named assemblies, said shield being provided with longitudinally extending louvered slits which prevent direct radiation from the germicidal lamp in directions laterally of the germicidal lamp.

ROBERT A. CLARK, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,193,191 Ritter Aug. 1, 1916 2,335,545 Shannon et a1 Nov. 30, 1943 2,339,010 Greenwald Jan. 11, 1944 2,444,379 Sexton June 29, 1948 

